Despite calls for full transparency, Lakeland PD has declined to release body camera footage from a viral arrest of a 16-year-old teen.
Terry Coney, president of the NAACP Lakeland branch, asked Lakeland commissioners to consider releasing the full body camera footage from two Lakeland Police Department officers who appear to repeatedly punch a 16-year-old Black teen in a viral video.
“All I ask, and all I think the community asks, is to be as transparent as possible,” he said.
Coney said he has received multiple phone calls and countless texts since a video went viral last week. The NAACP president reviewed the video less than 24 hours after its posting and said he’s had conversations with Lakeland Police Chief Sam Taylor and Lakeland Mayor Bill Mutz about it.
“I appreciate your comments and the tone of them,” Mutz said. “Our goal is to provide the time for the internal investigation that honors those [police officers’] rights and we will make a statement through the city as soon as that is done. Until then, we want to follow due process.”
Following the viral video, Chief of Police, Sam Taylor has already requested an administrative review by our Office of Professional Standards. Attached is the arrest affidavit from this incident. In accordance with our agency’s policies and procedures, and in accordance with Florida State Statute 112. 533, we will not be able to release any other material related to this case until the administrative review is closed.
The police chief has declined to speak with Lakeland Gazette, citing an inability to speak about an ongoing investigation.
The NAACP Lakeland Branch put out a statement on Facebook following the Memorial Day arrest.
“We strongly condemn the use of physical force by these professionally trained officers against this unarmed young man,” read the organization’s statement.
In response to questions about options other than physical force, LPD spokesperson Officer Stephanie Kerr said all officers are issued an aerosol deterrent, such as pepper spray or mace. However, Kerr said the decision is left up to the individual officer to decide whether they wish to carry the aerosol deterrent provided.